Ghosts have been a part of every documented human culture in history in some way, shape, or form, and King County has many of its own local legends about spectral visits. While many consider themselves skeptical about the reality of ghost encounters, a night spent at one of these places may just change their minds.
Rory Sellers / THUNDERWORD
Opened in 1909, the Sorrento Hotel is arguably the most well known haunted location in King County. It stands as a four-star, seven-story luxury hotel in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle.
It is believed to be haunted by Alice B. Toklas, a famous writer, chef, and partner of author Gertrude Stein (yes, Toklas is a lesbian ghost). Many guests and staff have reported hearing and seeing her ghost throughout the halls. Legends tie her to room 408 as well.
The interesting thing about this ghost story is that Toklas has no real connection to the Sorrento Hotel. She lived in a plot next door to where it would be built but had moved to Paris by 1909. She never stayed in the hotel so the origin of her connection to it is unknown.
A morgue seems like one of the most likely places to be haunted alongside cemeteries due to all the dead people. The Georgetown Morgue is located in the southern industrial district of Seattle, having been built in 1928 as Kolling Mortuary Services.
According to the tour guides, after roughly 10 years of business, it was sold to brothers Charles and Henry Broughton, who renamed it Broughton Brothers Funeral Services. It stayed as such until a tragic earthquake struck Seattle in 1965, bringing a smokestack that was attached to the building down and killing Charles Broughton.
It wasn’t many years later when an incident dubbed the “Seattle Crematorium Massacre” took place. An unknown number of people stormed the building and overwhelmed the nine employees inside — including Henry Broughton. The workers were forced into the crematorium chamber where they would meet a gruesome end.
The case went cold due to lack of witnesses and the morgue’s ownership was transferred to the city. It’s now used as a tourist attraction in the form of a haunted house.
Des Moines’ very own Masonic Home (also known as the Landmark on the Sound) is a 100-year-old, five-floor Chateauesque-style building erected between 1925 and 1927 in the Zenith neighborhood.
Local folklore states that the fifth floor of the gothic mansion is haunted by the spirits of Masons and elderly residents who passed away on the grounds of the property. It is said that they wander the halls to keep the building safe. One of these ghosts is reportedly a friendly fella named George. It’s hard to say though as the building hasn’t been open to the public since 2012, with tall fences and security keeping it locked down.
The safety of the building is a particularly potent topic because Zenith Properties and the City of Des Moines approved a demolition permit, having upheld said permit this year after pushback from locals. Many people, such as the preservation group “Citizens for the Protection of Des Moines’ Historic Resources and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation” want the building to be left alone for historic purposes but its current fate isn’t looking good
Rory O’Kane / THUNDERWORD
Lastly, the local hotpot, the Des Moines Marina. A beautiful place to walk along the beach, watch the sunset, or play with your dog. All throughout the year people go fishing or crabbing on the pier, take their boats out on the sound, or even get married right by the beach. The city hosts a farmers market all throughout the summer that brings people together. On the surface, it’s a very happy and fun spot.
However, some locals swear that it isn’t as nice as it may seem. On the nights of Jan. 7 and 8, some have felt the presence of a young girl named Diana. She walks the beaches and warns onlookers to stay away from some mysterious old man.
This story comes from there having been an orphanage in the early 20th century where the Des Moines Marina currently sits. It was self operated by Herman and Annie Draper until they passed away within just five days of each other. It’s assumed Diana was one of the kids who lived there but it is unclear why she stuck around to haunt the place or why in early January specifically.
During an investigation from the local paranormal investigation group The Organization for the Investigation of Apparitions, Ghosts, and Hauntings (AGHOST), they reported their cameras malfunctioning and turning off, the voice of Diana, and potential sightings of her.
These, and many more spots across King County, are riddled with tales of ghouls and other unsavory visitors from beyond life itself. For those brave enough, or foolish enough, these places are very much worth the visit to see if the legends are true.